8 Autograph collecting tips

Collecting Autographs Tip 1

First step in collecting autographs is determining whose autograph you want to get. It is one thing to want Derek Jeter’s autograph, but also know that there are about 85 million other fans that want Derek’s autograph. Be realistic about whose autograph you might be able to receive. Especially starting out, try a few attempts at lesser known stars… Get a few replies to wet your whistle and help fuel the autograph fever. Try one of the basketball players that sits on the pine, or an NHL guy that isn’t the high scorer or defensive man of the year. Now… It is time to do some research on the person whose autograph you want…

 Collecting Autographs Tip 2

Get an address for the person (sports team address, show address, etc.) and know some general information about the person too. Did they recently win an award? Do they work with a specific charity? What makes you want to get this persons autograph? Don’t know enough about them to scare them or come across as a stalker, but just some general things.. Now, let’s work on the letter…

Collecting Autographs Tip 3

Hand-write or type your person a letter. I had much better success with hand written, legible letters. The typed ones come across as insincere, or you may be perceived as not caring enough to send a letter just to them, but you probably changed the name on the letter and mass mailed it. Remember… You are asking them for something. Respect them enough to hand write them a letter. Next is the structure of the letter…

Collecting Autographs Tip 4

Most people like to be recognized… Even though these stars are human, just like you and me, and they like to know why you admire them or why you want their autograph. Tell them why. Something along the lines of – I have been watching this soap opera for 5 years and recently learned you are a support of the Susan G Komen organization. Thank you for supporting such a worthy cause as we are all touched by this in some way. Find a common bond. Then ask them for an autograph – something like – Would you please send me an autographed picture of yourself in the enclosed, postage paid envelope? We will talk about envelopes shortly. Then close the letter with – Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, XXX 

 Collecting Autographs Tip 5

Size does matter. The size of the envelope should match the size of the object you are seeking. If you are requesting an autographed picture, you need to send them an envelope with a similar sized, postage paid, self addressed envelope inside of at least 8 ½ by 11. Nothing is worse than getting a picture back that had to be folded due to the reply envelope being undersized.
Definitely include a stamped reply envelope with the mailer. The person you are mailing to should not bear any cost of postage to send you their picture. If you are sending a baseball card to be signed, then you can get away with a #10 envelope and one inside (again postage paid, self addressed) for them to put your signed card back into. Either way, this is where your costs will be incurred. You are paying both the outgoing and return postage, whether or not you get the request back. Speaking of getting the request back, the next part is a lesson I learned and it only took one time!

Collecting Autographs Tip 6

Never, never, never send any items to someone that you might eventually want returned. Anything of personal or dollar value should be strongly discouraged from sending via mail. I learned this the hard way. I had a mint Sammy Sosa rookie card. When Sammy was playing for the Cubs, I mailed it to the clubhouse and never heard a word back. Not only did I not get a signature, I didn’t get my rookie card and that will be worth a good bit of money one day. Do I blame Sammy? Heck no. Do I blame the Cubs? Nope. The only one I can blame is me. It might have been lost in the mail or may have been taken… I do know one thing.. There is nothing I can do about it now. However, I can still remember the first autograph I received and will always cherish it. 

 Collecting Autographs Tip 7

Chris Snopek was a baseball player for the Chicago White Sox. He was not a stand out star, but did good. I started out small on my mailings – did about 25 baseball cards to players (again – with the reply envelope inside) and his was the first one I ever received. It was so much fun opening my mail box and having a reply in there. He signed the card and returned it to me. The White Sox came through Texas and played the Rangers about 6 months after that. I went to the game early, as I wanted to thank him. Where do you think he was? Next to the dugout, signing autographs for all the kids. I met him and thanked him for the autograph. It sounds crazy, but that was so cool to meet him. Chris… Thank you!!! Not sure he is a kickstandsup.net reader, but you never know!

Collecting Autographs Tip 8

Most importantly… Have patience. If you are expecting to get 100% of your replies, or even 50% of your replies and have them within the first week of mailing them, then autograph collecting is not for you. My first reply (Chris) took about 3 weeks and the last one I received back took almost 2 years. Not sure where the hold up was, but that was fun to get that one too.
Start out small. Try some sports cards. Then once you get a letter writing routine, know your costs for postage, envelopes, etc., and understand the process, then expand into picture requests. Just be realistic about your expectations.
Good luck! Would love to hear some of your success stories.